Cecylia Kee is a 20-something veterinarian, who has become a well known face in the Australian fashion industry thanks to her fabulous self titled fashion blog, ‘Cecylia’. Throughout her veterinary training, Cecylia harbored dreams of working within the fashion industry, a dream that was realised in 201 when she became the very proud owner of her self-titled boutique on High St Armadale. Stocking the likes of Gail Sorronda, Sara Phillips and Karla Spetic, the boutique was renowned for its top quality customer service, but was sadly closed in July 2011 when Cecylia’s business partner decided to leave the fashion industry.

Following her own personal philosophy ‘Everyday is worth dressing up for’, Cecylia continues with her boutique legacy with her blog, supporting talent designer from both Australian and the rest of the world. Recently we were lucky enough to interview the lovely lady herself to find out all you need to know about her eponymous fashion blog, and the cutest pooch within the Australia’s fashion industry – Cecylia’sgorgeous Chihuahua, Theodore.

Five Minutes with Australian Fashion Blogger, Cecylia Kee

How did you get into fashion blogging? How did it start for Cecylia?

It started almost 3 years ago when I desperately needed a creative outlet whilst working full time as a veterinarian. People have always commented on the originality and the sound of my name. Cecylia with a ‘y’ is apparently the Polish variation, a Polish accounting firm had their hands on the website ‘Cecylia.com’, but one day they didn’t renew their registration fee, so my dear hubby seized it for me. The unique spelling of my name is why I named my boutique after it as well.

Back when I started blogging I compiled street styles and commented on the trends depicted but over time my readers wanted more. So the blog started to showcase my eclectic style, designers I admire, relevant fashion events and products that my readers would like.

How do you juggle being a vet, stylist, sometime TV extra and one of Australia’s finest fashion bloggers?

You are very kind, thank you for your sweet words. With little sleep and being super adaptive. Just being a locum vet, one needs to be super adaptive because different clinics have different clientele, different colleagues, different cultures and politics…so the skills I learnt from that helped me to juggle the others.

I’m in the process of launching my stylist career, it’s been something I’ve been putting off for a while, but more doors are opening for me that seem ‘right’.

Blogging is now a part of me so it never feels like work, Cecylia is like a carefully constructed diary whose audience is not me, but my readers.

And being a TV extra is really relaxing. I’ve been doing it for over 6 years and it’s not taxing at all. I do it to meet new people and to have space-out-time.

What has been your proudest moment working within the fashion blogging world?

You’d probably think I’d say something like meeting Diane Von Furstenberg, winning Fashion Stakes at Caulfield Cup, or being invited to sit front row at shows, but I’d sound way too proud. What brings most joy to me is when a stranger on the street comes up to me to tell me how much they enjoy reading my blog. That is why I do what I do.

Do you have any advice for the aspiring fashion bloggers out there?

I don’t think I’m qualified for that! Just thoughts, not advice, that I’ll share. There are countless fashion blogs out there. If you wish to make a career out of it, you have to take it seriously and treat it like a business (but the blog doesn’t have to be serious!). You need to have a different point of view, something most people don’t have or can’t do, whether that be your gorgeous looks, amazing photography, interesting styling or delicious writing. Always listen to your readers. And ’tis better to give than to receive.

What is next for Cecylia?

Cecylia will be more focused on what I can deliver to my readers this year. I’ve planned some interviews with amazing fashion personalities, am collaborating with more industry insiders, and video blogs! And there is something super exciting in the horizon, which I am literally shaking out of my skin about.

And finally we just have to ask about Theodore – how is the world’s cutest Chihuahua dealing with his new found fame? Has he become a bit of a diva?

No no, not a diva at all. All pets take on the personalities of their owners, right? He is so small that he is literally ‘down to earth’. Lately most events are not dog-friendly. Maybe I’ll just have to pick the ones I can bring him to…